When minor G-Code adjustments are needed, like altering cutting conditions or tool offsets, operators should have the flexibility to make these changes swiftly. However, this process often involves back-and-forth with CAM programmers, leading to workflow delays.

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Some of the most useful properties of steel come from extra treatment and processing steps. These methods can be done before the machining process, to change the properties and make the steel more machinable. Keep in mind that hardening the material before machining makes for longer machining times and increased tool wear, but steel can be treated after machining to add strength or hardness to the finished product. Which is to say, it‘s important to consider upfront any planned treatments that you’ll need to apply to achieve the necessary properties for your parts.

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iMachining 2D's Feature Recognition technology detects and defines the part machinable features by utilizing the solid model data, with minimal input from the user.

Free machining grades of carbon steel are resulfurized and rephosphorized, which causes the chips to break off into smaller pieces. This prevents long or large chips from becoming entangled with the tool as it cuts. Free machining steel can lead to faster machining times but may decrease ductility and impact resistance.

iMachining 3D automatically produces a complete, ready to run CNC program, with optimal cutting conditions, achieved by the expert knowledge-based Technology Wizard, to rough and rest rough an entire 3D part in a single operation.

The properties of steel can also be changed without applying high amounts of heat. For example, cold working steel makes it stronger through the process of work hardening. Work hardening can occur when a metal undergoes plastic deformation. This can be done intentionally by hammering, rolling, or drawing a metal. Work hardening can also happen unintentionally while machining if the cutting tool or workpiece gets too hot. Cold working can also increase the machinability of steel.  Low carbon steel is well suited to cold working.

Even if you’re not doing the machining itself, you should still evaluate the steel grades suited to your project not only for hardness and strength but also to account for differences in machinability. For example, stainless steel will take about twice as long to machine as carbon steel. When deciding between different grades, you also want to consider which properties are the highest priority, and which steel alloys are readily available. Commonly used grades, such as 304 or 316 stainless steel, are available in a wider range of stock sizes and take less time to find and source.

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SolidCAM’s iMachining has the exclusive patented iMachining Technology Wizard, the industry’s first and only Wizard that automatically calculates optimal cutting conditions for every segment of the iMachining tool path.

Modern Mill-Turn CNC centers are designed to combine as many milling and turning operations as possible, to manufacture workpieces at maximum productivity.

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Due to the hardness of the material, machining steel takes longer than other, softer materials like aluminum or brass. You need to use the correct machine settings to optimize the quality of the machining and minimize the wear on the tools. Practically, that means slower spindle speeds and feed rates to protect your part and tooling.

Precipitation hardening increases the yield strength of steel. Certain grades of stainless steel may include PH in the name, meaning that they have precipitation hardening properties. The main difference of precipitation hardening steels is that they have extra elements: copper, aluminum, phosphorus, or titanium. Many different alloys are possible here. To activate the precipitation hardening properties, the steel is formed into the final shape, then put through an age-hardening process. The age-hardening process heats the material over an extended period to cause the added elements to precipitate — form solid particles of different sizes — which increases the strength of the material.

CNC Operators normally get the G-Code file together with a list of tools, a setup sheet showing the part clamping and locations of work offsets, but do not have direct access to the CAM-System.

SolidCAM’s Turbo 3D HSR (THSR) and Turbo 3D HSM (THSM) are powerful High Speed Roughing (HSR) and High Speed Machining (HSM) modules for much faster calculations than the regular HSR / HSM modules.

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A common scene in any machine shop today is that 4- and 5-axis CNC machines are increasing production, providing faster cycle times and the ability to manufacture parts completely in one setup only. SolidCAM provides an effective and easy way to program on multiple sides of a part.

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Automatic Feature Recognition & Machining (AFRM) from SolidCAM sets the new standards for automating CAM Programming, including:

So by having the SolidCAM for Operators Editor, they have access to the CAM part data, including tool table data and set up, do a simulation and perform a dry run at the CNC. They can also edit basic parameters, like speeds and feeds, using the SolidCAM for Operators Editor.

"SolidCAM is the Swiss pocket knife for machining. With the modules for the 2.5D, 3D, simultaneous 5-axis machining and rotary milling, all daily machining tasks can be done quickly – from the complex drilling pattern to the most demanding 5-axis impeller. Program the part, simulate and off you go on the machine. The software delivers, what it has promised!"

"The integrated approach facilitates discussion and resolution of manufacturing issues because everyone is working with the same model and modeler. We communicate issues and features a lot better working with an integrated system.”

SolidCAM provides a comprehensive turning package with powerful toolpaths and techniques for fast and efficient turning with fixture and holder protection.

Stainless steel can be used in a wide range of industries. Type 316 stainless steel, when processed properly, can be used in medical devices, such as valve components in machines and tubing. 316 stainless is also used to machine nuts and bolts, many of which are used in the aerospace and automotive industries. 303 stainless steel is used for gears, shafts, and other components that are essential for both aircraft and cars.

THSR and THSM offer unique machining and linking strategies for generating high-speed tool paths. The 3-Axis calculation engine recalculates the tool path at lightning speeds. Its 64-bit architecture completely utilizes all the cores for tool path calculations.

In many machine shops, the tasks of CAM programming and CNC operation are often worlds apart. CNC operators require a deep understanding of setup, tooling, and simulation.

One prevalent application of tool steel is injection molding tooling, which is CNC machined from hardened steel to produce the highest quality production parts. H13 steel is often chosen for its good thermal fatigue properties — its strength and hardness can withstand long exposures to extreme temperatures. H13 tooling is well-suited for advanced injection molding materials with high melting temperatures because it provides a longer tooling life than other steels – 500,000 to 1 million shots. Meanwhile, S136 is stainless steel that has a tooling life of over one million shots. This material can be polished to the highest level and is used for specialty applications when parts require high optical clarity.

iMachining's features and algorithms give you unbelievable cycle time savings and unmatched tool life performance while providing you with perfect machining feeds and speeds, the first time, every time.

Stainless steel contains carbon, but also contains around 11% chromium, which increases the material’s corrosion resistance. More chromium means less rust! Adding nickel can also increase rust resistance and tensile strength. Additionally, stainless steel has good heat resistance, making it suitable for aerospace and other applications in extreme environments.

The Solid Probe operations are based on the same geometry as 2.5D milling operations. The user interface provides full control over tolerances, different sorting options and a fast preview of cycle movements.

Supports all CNC machine types and brands on the market - up to complex multi channel MillTurn CNCs including Swiss-Type.

Provides 70% and more in cycle time savings, increases tool life 5 times and more, and the iMachining Technology Wizard provides optimal feeds and speeds for every point of the toolpath, taking into account the stock material, cutting tool properties and the CNC machine parameters.

However, that strength and hardness also contribute to longer machining times and increased wear on cutting tools. And steel is a high-density material, which makes it too heavy for some applications. However, steel’s strength-to-weight ratio is high, which is why it’s among the most commonly used metals in manufacturing.

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Programming times for prismatic parts are drastically reduced with iMachining 3D. In a single operation, roughn and rest rough an entire 3D prismatic part that includes any number of pockets and islands, without chaining or sketching a single contour. With just the solid geometry and cutting tool as input, iMachining 3D calculates the rest - automatically and optimally.

The complete CAM Solution for your Manufacturing, with revolutionary iMachining, best MillTurn and Swiss CNCs support, seamlessly integrated and fully associative in SOLIDWORKS, Solid Edge and Inventor.

With probes, the setup of your CNC-parts becomes easier and the can be used to control the quality of machined parts right on the machine. Programming Probe cycles for Home definition and On-Machine Verification has never been easier.

17-4PH (also known as 630 steel) is a common example of a precipitation hardening grade of stainless steel. This alloy has 17% chromium and 4% nickel, along with 4% copper to contribute to the precipitation hardening. Because of the increased hardness, strength, and high corrosion resistance, 17-4PH is used for helicopter deck platforms, turbine blades, and nuclear waste casks.

The strength and hardness of steel are some of its most sought-after properties. They’re what make steel suitable for construction and transportation applications because the material can last a long time under heavy and recurring loads. Some alloys of steel, namely the stainless varieties, are resistant to corrosion, which makes them the best choice for parts operating in extreme environments.

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Looking for a manufacturing partner experienced with CNC machining steel who can help you find the right balance? Fictiv has a network of experienced manufacturers who can guarantee quick lead times and high-quality parts. Create a free account and upload your model and see how our CNC machining services work.

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SolidCAM's Turning module produces advanced rough and finish profile turning, together with support for facing, grooving, threading and drilling cycles.

The revolutionary iMachining CAM module, fully integrated in SOLIDWORKS, will make you and your CNC machines more profitable and more competitive than ever before.

Access a wide breadth of capabilities through our highly vetted network.

Accelerate development with instant quotes, expert DFM, and automated production updates.

Automatic Feature Recognition and Machining, using pre-defined templates for fast programming. Advanced collision control and machine preview shows the complete machine kinematics during programming.

With the single-window integration, all machining operations can be defined, calculated and verified without leaving the SOLIDWORKS assembly environment.

The table below shows some common grades of steel and their properties. The elemental makeup of each alloy is provided to show how different grades change with different additives. Keep in mind that each of these grades’ properties can be further manipulated by heat treatment or forming.

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The revolutionary iMachining CAM module will make you and your CNC machines more profitable and more competitive than ever before. iMachining, a real breakthrough in CNC milling tool path technology, enables extremely faster and deeper machining by optimizing tool cutting angles and feed rates on every tool path position.

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Manual CNC programming of sophisticated parts on complex machines, directly at the machine controller is – if at all humanly possible – unproductive, error-prone and expensive.

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"The integrated approach has a lot of advantages, including saving time, accessing a single geometry file, and using the intelligence of our design data in a more efficient, systematic way."

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SolidCAM HSS is a high speed surface machining module for smooth and powerful machining of localized surface areas in the part, including undercuts.

"This approach shortens the learning curve for programmers, offers greater geometry editing and manipulation power to manufacturing and provides a common tool for supporting interaction between designers and machinists"

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For CNC operators with no deeper technical understanding and responsibilities, the Shop Floor Simulator makes it easy to understand the setup, what tools are used and to perform a simulation of all the machining operations before doing the actual machining.

Normalizing heat treatment relieves internal stresses in the steel while maintaining higher strength and hardness than annealed steel. During normalizing, the steel is heated to a high temperature, then air-cooled to obtain increased hardness.

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In a typical CNC machine shop using SolidCAM, you'll find seats for CAM programmers and SolidCAM for Operators Editor/Simulator Seats. The choice of using the SolidCAM for Operators Editor or SolidCAM for Operators Simulator is made by the shop floor manager.

Finally, the tempering heat treatment process is used to relieve some of the brittleness that comes from hardening steel. Tempering steel is almost exactly the same as normalizing: you heat it up slowly, let it sit at the chosen temperature, then air cool the steel. The difference is that tempering is performed at a lower temperature than the other processes, which decreases both the brittleness and the hardness of the tempered steel.

SolidCAM for Operators Editor enables the CNC machine Operator to open existing CAM parts, created by the SolidCAM Programmers, edit the operations if needed (e.g. change step down or change the tool speeds and feeds), recalculate, simulate, then post-process the new G-code, right by the CNC machine.

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For example, the 300 series of stainless steels are austenitic chromium-nickel alloys. 304 stainless is the most common grade and is also referred to as 18/8, for its 18% chromium and 8% nickel content. 303 stainless steel is the free machining version of 304 stainless. The addition of sulfur reduces its corrosion resistance, so Type 303 stainless steel is more likely to rust than Type 304.

Hardening steel is another heat treatment process that, you guessed it, hardens the steel. It also increases the strength but can make the material more brittle as well. The hardening process involves heating the steel slowly, soaking it at a high temperature, then cooling it quickly by dousing the steel in a liquid like water, oil, or a brine solution.

SolidCAM for Operators Simulator has no CAM part editing capabilities at all. It enables the CNC Operator to see the Tool table list with full details, to understand the clamping, the work offsets, and to see the simulation of the CAM Part, before running the G-Code on the CNC machine.

It depends on whether they want to provide CNC operators with simulation capabilities only or grant them additional editing capabilities. For more information, refer to the detailed comparison table.

SolidCAM + SOLIDWORKS is scalable for all CNC machine types and applications. The integrated CAD/CAM Solution, is available from SolidCAM, as a bundle-package.

The knowledge and experience of hundreds of CAM and CNC masters in the palm of your hand, as the iMachining Wizard and Toolpath take you to an entirely new level of CNC performance!

SolidCAM's exclusive and patented iMachining is an intelligent high speed milling technology that creates significantly faster and safe CNC programs to machine mechanical parts with first part success, while maximizing tool life.

Unique machining and linking strategies for 3D high-speed toolpaths. It smooths the paths of both cutting moves and retracts, wherever possible, to maintain a continuous machine tool motion – an essential requirement for maintaining higher feed rates and eliminating dwelling.

"If changes are made on the manufacturing side, we capture them on both the design side and the manufacturing side because SOLIDWORKS and SolidCAM are fully associative.”

When designing steel parts, it’s important to remember the material’s unique properties. The very properties that make it perfect for your application may require some extra consideration of Design for Manufacturing (DFM).

Steel is a broad term for an alloy of iron and carbon. The amount of carbon (0.05% – 2%) by weight), along with the addition of other elements, determines the specific alloy of steel and its material properties. Other alloying elements include manganese, silicon, phosphorus, sulfur, and oxygen. Carbon increases the hardness and strength of the steel, while other elements can be added to improve corrosion resistance or machinability. Manganese is also often present in larger quantities (at least 0.30% and up to 1.5%) to decrease the brittleness of the steel and increase its strength.

We exist to eliminate bottlenecks in new product development by integrating the people, processes, and platform you need to source custom parts.

SolidCAM's 2.5D Milling module provides the most straightforward, easy-to-use interface that is seamlessly integrated in SOLIDWORKS and Inventor. Combined with the latest toolpath technology, SolidCAM 2.5D Milling provides the fastest, most powerful and easiest to create 2.5D CNC Milling toolpaths.

Let’s get into some of the many types of steel. To be considered steel, carbon must be added to iron. The amount of carbon varies though, causing the properties to vary considerably. Carbon steels often refer to steels other than stainless and are identified by the 4 digit grade of the steel, and more broadly as low, medium, or high carbon steels.

iMachining 3D provides amazing 3D machining results, regularly saving 70% in machining time, reaching up to 90% in many cases.

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Benefit from the most tested and proven 5-Axis machining tool paths in the industry, with a user-friendly interface, collision checking and the most advanced control over all aspects of the tool path:

Indexial 4/5-axis machining is where SolidCAM absolutely shines and where you will see incredible improvements in your workflow.

Steel comes in many forms: sheet metal, plates, bars and beams of various geometries, pipes, and of course, the solid stock material used when CNC machining steel. Steel is used for so many applications and by so many industries that it makes sense for there to be many different types of steel. But what’s the difference between stainless and low carbon steel? Free machining and tool steel? In this article, you’ll learn about the many machining steel grades, their properties, and how to CNC machine steel successfully.

Heat treating refers to several different processes that involve manipulating the temperature of the steel to change its material properties. One example is annealing, which is used to decrease hardness and increase ductility, to make the steel easier to work with. The annealing process slowly heats the steel to the desired temperature and keeps it there for a period of time. The time and temperature required depend on the specific alloy, and both decrease as carbon content increases. Finally, the metal is cooled slowly in the furnace or surrounded by an insulating material.

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Tool steel is used to make tools for various manufacturing processes, including die-casting, injection molding, stamping, and cutting. There are many different alloys of tool steel tailored for different applications, but they’re all known for their hardness. Each can stand up to wear and tear over many uses (a steel mold for injection molding can stand up to a million shots of material or more) and have high-temperature resistance.

The main alloying element of the steel is referred to by the first digit in the four-digit grade. For example, any 1xxx steel, like 1018, is going to have carbon as the main alloying element. 1018 steel has 0.14 – 0.20% carbon and small amounts of phosphorus and sulfur, along with manganese. This general-purpose alloy is commonly used to machine spacers, shafts, gears, and pins.

SolidCAM is a best-in-class, complete CAM Solution seamlessly integrated in SOLIDWORKS. The major benefits of SolidCAM's SOLIDWORKS integration include:

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With the wide range of applications for CNC machined steel and its robust physical properties, it’s no wonder steel is the material of choice for manufacturers around the world. The infinite number of alloys possible provides an endless number of steel grades with useful properties. And when designing your next CNC machined steel part, remember to weigh the properties you need against the material’s machinability to ensure you get a lead time that works for you.

Stainless steel is broken down into five types, based on the crystalline structure of the metal. These five types are austenitic, ferritic, martensitic, duplex, and precipitation hardening. Stainless steel grades are identified using three-digit numbers rather than four. The first number represents the crystalline structure and main alloying elements.

CAM Programmers are technologists that determine the strategy for machining a part on the shop floor. Usually well acquainted with CNC technology and capabilities, a CAM Programmer uses SolidCAM to define the machining process, using a variety of machine operations. At each stage, the Programmer can use the SolidCAM simulation capabilities to check the operations, edit specific operations and machining parameters and then produce a G-Code file.

That is why SolidCAM created Tools for Operators – to simplify shop floor processes and empower experienced CNC operators to grasp CAM data easily and, if necessary, make quick edits to machining parameters.

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SolidCAM HSS provides easy selection of the surfaces to be machined with no need to define the boundaries, and supports both standard and shaped tools.

All 2D and 3D geometries used for machining are fully associative to the SOLIDWORKS design model. If you make any changes to your SOLIDWORKS model, all of your CAM operations will be automatically updated.

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Easily work on parts, assemblies, and sketch geometry to define your CNC machining operations. Quickly place fixtures and components for full visualization.

Our trained employees ensure your parts will be delivered on time and to spec.

Swiss CNC turning centers are a cost-effective solution for machining small, complex, and precision parts. These advanced machines feed material through a guide bushing, and cut using linear or revolver tools, all in one setup. Swiss machines handle multiple operations simultaneously, efficiently automating the entire machining process.